The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A Freeport businessman yesterday expressed relief that the Christie administration had decided to extend the expiring Hawksbill Creek Agreement (HCA) tax exemptions, telling Tribune Business: “We are beginning to live again.”

Larry Albury, Freeport Jetwash & Auto Mart’s general manager, said: “I’m very happy that a decision has finally been made and we are beginning to live agin. We were in limbo for a while there.

“I appreciate the Prime Minister extending the HCA incentives for another 20 years. I think it should help, and I think the Government and the Port Authority will work hand-in-hand to bring more business this way and get people to come to Grand Bahama because it is a beautiful island and it is unique.

“There’s no reason why we should not be a one-stop shop for second homeowners and retirees. We should be attracting people from south Florida to Freeport. There are so many jobs that people can get into.”

Mr Albury added: “We do need a hospital here, a brand hospital that is a recognised US-brand hospital, and I think people will just flock here.

“Once we have a brand name hospital here I think every thing will fall in place. Freeport is unique in its own way. We have industry, tourism, second homes and there is no reason why we shouldn’t be number one in the Caribbean.”

Gowon Bowe the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation;’s (BCCEC) chairman, told Tribune Business: “We know that for a long time Freeport has been a sleeping giant, with the infrastructure, town planning and sort of design for residential commercial etc, and so it has a tremendous amount of potential both in its natural environment as well as its built environment.

“I believe the stand-off between central government and local government in Grand Bahama has stymied its growth for a long period of time. In reality, it has cost both sides significant resources. As a vibrant economy it could reduce some of the outlay the Government is spending there, and for the owners of the Port it would be far greater returns than they are experiencing now.”

Mr Bowe continued: “There is a delicate balance they need to strike between what is private interest in terms of the Port Authority, what are its regulatory powers, where should it reside between government and a private enterprise, and then certainly separating the private interests of the Port from the regulatory function, even if it is to stay in private hands. It’s going to be interesting to see the details play out and what the chief architectural plan is going to be for the development of Grand Bahama.”